Charlottesville, VA – November 14, 2023

The University of Virginia has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Better Buildings Challenge for achieving a 27% energy savings across its portfolio of over 550 buildings comprising 15.3 million square feet. In 2013, UVA signed on as a partner in the DOE’s Better Buildings Challenge, with a goal to reduce the energy use intensity (energy use per square foot) of the university’s building portfolio by 20% within ten years. On October 23, 2023, the Director of the Office for Sustainability, Andrea Trimble, joined other Goal Achiever representatives on the White House campus to be recognized with others who achieved their ten year goal. Building energy efficiency leaders from across the country included the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Morehouse College, and Volvo Group America.

University of Virginia is one of the market leaders partnering with DOE to set portfolio-wide energy savings goals and share their efficiency strategies on the Better Buildings Solution Center. To date, Better Buildings partners have saved $18.5 billion in energy costs, resulting in nearly 190 million metric tons of avoided carbon emissions.

UVA’s Building Efficiency Program, uses a revolving fund to upgrade building controls and retrofit lighting to improve energy efficiency with no upfront cost to the building owner. Specific to research spaces, UVA’s Sustainable Labs program, bridges safety and energy efficiency while identifying and implementing infrastructure improvements. Other key building energy efficiency initiatives include the Green Building Standards, which include requirements such as goal-setting, energy modeling, and analysis of life cycle cost. UVA also has robust outreach and engagement programs for staff, faculty, and students to encourage energy conservation, such as Green Labs, Green Workplace, Eco-Leaders, and more.

Jesse Warren, Associate Director of UVA’s Office for Sustainability said, “Meeting this goal demonstrates the collective effort, unwavering commitment, and the shared vision that continues to define UVA’s climate leadership. Energy efficiency in our buildings is a key strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. We are truly honored to stand alongside fellow Goal Achievers across so many different sectors of our economy and partner with the DOE to advance a just and more sustainable future."

“The University of Virginia has made a dedicated commitment to sustainability, and this achievement marks a significant milestone in our journey toward carbon neutrality,” said Andrea Trimble, Director UVA’s Office for Sustainability. “Ten years ago, we set out to reduce our energy use and thanks to our university community, from our students and faculty to our dedicated staff, we did it. We are truly honored to stand alongside other climate leaders and partner with the DOE to advance a just and more sustainable future for us all.”

“Our Better Buildings Goal Achievers are leaders in their industries—demonstrating that we can reach the nation’s ambitious climate goals if we work together and commit to excellence,” said DOE Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Jeff Marootian. “Congratulations to the 2023 achievers, who are accelerating innovative solutions to use less energy, reduce emissions, and save money for American families and businesses. We appreciate their dedication and hope more partners can join us as we build our clean energy future.”

About the Better Buildings Challenge
The Better Buildings Challenge is one component of the Better Buildings Initiative, through which DOE partners with more than 900 public and private sector organizations to make commercial, public, industrial, and residential buildings more efficient, thereby saving energy and money while creating jobs. Anyone can access more than 3,000 proven efficiency solutions from these partners in the Better Buildings Solution Center.

About University of Virginia Office for Sustainability
The University of Virginia’s Office for Sustainability leads and collaborates on pan-University efforts to steward the built environment and natural resources, engage the University and local community in sustainability initiatives, and discover innovative, collaborative climate solutions. In 2019, UVA set a goal to be carbon neutral by 2030 and fossil fuel-free by 2050, and launched its 2030 Sustainability Plan in 2020. For information on UVA’s sustainability goals, progress, and programs, please visit sustainability.virginia.edu.

PRESS CONTACT: Teri Strother, Associate Manager for Sustainability Communications, (434) 459-9936 E: [email protected] or Andrea Trimble, Director of the Office for Sustainability, (434) 962-9810, E: [email protected].